Buyers, sellers chafe at low home appraisals that hurt sales | Video

A May 2009 law required that appraisers work independently and without undue influence from mortgage brokers, lenders and real estate agents. Mortgage fraud prosecutors say the overhaul was necessary to curtail conflicts of interest and bloated estimates that contributed to the housing debacle.

More than two years later, real estate professionals say the change has inadvertently led to innaccurate appraisals, which is delaying a housing recovery.